On This Day in History — July 27

Highlights of July 27

• 2020 — A major oil spill from the Colonial Pipeline was discovered in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (system map pictured). Read more
• 2016 — The last nine Aston Martin DB9 (example pictured) units rolled off the production line, marking the end of a twelve-year manufacturing period. Read more
• 2010 — Police in Tokyo found the mummified remains of Sogen Kato, thought to have died in 1978, leading to widespread inquiries into the status of isolated elderly people in Japan. Read more
• 2007 — While covering a police pursuit in Phoenix, Arizona, two news helicopters collided in mid-air, killing both crews. Read more
• 1990 — Jamaat al Muslimeen, a radical Islamic group, began a coup attempt against the government of Trinidad and Tobago by taking hostages, including Prime Minister A. N. R. Robinson, before surrendering five days later. Read more
• 1983 — American musician Madonna released her self-titled debut album, which set the standard for the genre of dance-pop for decades. Read more
• 1965 — Mattachine Midwest, a gay rights organization in Chicago, held its first meeting. Read more
• 1955 — The Austrian State Treaty came into effect, ending the Allied occupation of Austria, although the country was not free of Allied troops until October. Read more
• 1955 — After straying into Bulgarian airspace, El Al Flight 402 was shot down by two MiG-15 fighter jets, resulting in the deaths of all 58 on board. Read more
• 1953 — An armistice was signed to end hostilities in the Korean War, officially making the division of Korea indefinite by creating a 4 km wide (2.5 mi) demilitarized zone across the Korean Peninsula. Read more
• 1949 — The world's first commercial jet airliner to reach production, the de Havilland Comet, had its maiden flight. Read more
• 1943 — As the Surprise Hurricane struck Texas, a United States Army Air Forces pilot made the first reconnaissance flight into a hurricane. Read more
• 1942 — Second World War: Allied forces halted the Axis invasion of Egypt at the First Battle of El Alamein. Read more
• 1919 — Red Summer: Race riots erupted in Chicago after a racial incident occurred on a South Side beach, leading to 38 fatalities and 537 injuries. Read more
• 1916 — First World War: British mariner Charles Fryatt was executed in Bruges, Belgium, after a German court-martial found him guilty of being a franc-tireur. Read more
• 1778 — The Battle of Ushant, the first encounter between the French and British fleets in the American Revolutionary War, ended indecisively and led to political disputes in both countries. Read more
• 1689 — First Jacobite rising: Scottish and Irish Jacobites defeated Williamite forces at Killiecrankie, Scotland. Read more
• 1302 — Byzantine–Ottoman wars: The Ottoman sultanate gained its first major victory against the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of Bapheus in Bithynia. Read more
• 1225 — Saint Mary's Church on Gotland, later to become Visby Cathedral (pictured), was consecrated. Read more
• 1214 — Philip II of France decisively won the Battle of Bouvines, the conclusive battle of the 1213–1214 Anglo-French War. Read more
• 1054 — During his invasion of Scotland, Siward, Earl of Northumbria, defeated Macbeth, King of Scotland, in an engagement north of the Firth of Forth. Read more
• 678 — Unable to penetrate the city's defences, the Sclaveni gave up their siege of the Byzantine city of Thessalonica. Read more

Events

• 2015 — Seven people are killed and many injured after gunmen attack an Indian police station in Punjab. Read more
• 2002 — Ukraine airshow disaster: A Sukhoi Su-27 fighter crashes during an air show at Lviv, Ukraine killing 77 and injuring more than 500 others, making it the deadliest air show disaster in history. Read more
• 1997 — About 50 people are killed in the Si Zerrouk massacre in Algeria. Read more
• 1996 — In Atlanta, United States, a pipe bomb explodes at Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics. Read more
• 1995 — The Korean War Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. Read more
• 1990 — The Jamaat al Muslimeen attempt a coup d'état in Trinidad and Tobago. Read more
• 1989 — While attempting to land at Tripoli International Airport in Libya, Korean Air Flight 803 crashes just short of the runway. Seventy-five of the 199 passengers and crew and four people on the ground are killed, in the second accident involving a DC-10 in less than two weeks, the first being United Airlines Flight 232. Read more
• 1983 — Black July: Eighteen Tamil political prisoners at the Welikada high security prison in Colombo are massacred by Sinhalese prisoners, the second such massacre in two days. Read more
• 1981 — While landing at Chihuahua International Airport, Aeromexico Flight 230 overshoots the runway. Thirty-two of the 66 passengers and crew on board the DC-9 are killed. Read more
• 1975 — Mayor of Jaffna and former MP Alfred Duraiappah is shot dead. Read more
• 1974 — Watergate scandal: The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee votes 27 to 11 to recommend the first article of impeachment (for obstruction of justice) against President Richard Nixon. Read more
• 1964 — Vietnam War: Five thousand more American military advisers are sent to South Vietnam bringing the total number of United States forces in Vietnam to 21,000. Read more
• 1963 — The Puijo observation tower is opened to the general public at Puijo Hill in Kuopio, Finland. Read more
• 1959 — The Continental League is announced as baseball's "third major league" in the United States. Read more
• 1955 — The Austrian State Treaty restores Austrian sovereignty. Read more
• 1955 — El Al Flight 402 is shot down by two fighter jets after straying into Bulgarian air space. All 58 people on board are killed. Read more
• 1953 — Korean War: Cessation of hostilities is achieved when the United States, China, and North Korea sign an armistice agreement. Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea, refuses to sign but pledges to observe the armistice. Read more
• 1949 — Initial flight of the de Havilland Comet, the first jet-powered airliner. Read more
• 1947 — In Vatican City, Rome, canonization of Catherine Labouré, the saint whose apparitions of the Virgin Mary originated the worldwide distribution of the Miraculous Medal. Read more
• 1942 — World War II: Allied forces successfully halt the final Axis advance into Egypt. Read more
• 1940 — The animated short A Wild Hare is released, introducing the character of Bugs Bunny. Read more
• 1929 — The Geneva Convention of 1929, dealing with treatment of prisoners-of-war, is signed by 53 nations. Read more
• 1921 — Researchers at the University of Toronto, led by biochemist Frederick Banting, prove that the hormone insulin regulates blood sugar. Read more
• 1919 — The Chicago Race Riot erupts after a racial incident occurred on a South Side beach, leading to 38 fatalities and 537 injuries over a five-day period. Read more
• 1917 — World War I: The Allies reach the Yser Canal at the Battle of Passchendaele. Read more
• 1900 — Kaiser Wilhelm II makes a speech comparing Germans to Huns; for years afterwards, "Hun" would be a disparaging name for Germans. Read more
• 1890 — Vincent van Gogh shoots himself and dies two days later. Read more
• 1880 — Second Anglo-Afghan War: Battle of Maiwand: Afghan forces led by Mohammad Ayub Khan defeat the British Army in battle near Maiwand, Afghanistan. Read more
• 1866 — The first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable is successfully completed, stretching from Valentia Island, Ireland, to Heart's Content, Newfoundland. Read more
• 1865 — Welsh settlers arrive at Chubut in Argentina. Read more
• 1857 — Indian Rebellion: Sixty-eight men hold out for eight days against a force of 2,500 to 3,000 mutinying sepoys and 8,000 irregular forces. Read more
• 1816 — Seminole Wars: The Battle of Negro Fort ends when a hot shot cannonball fired by US Navy Gunboat No. 154 explodes the fort's Powder Magazine, killing approximately 275. It is considered the deadliest single cannon shot in US history. Read more
• 1794 — French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre is arrested after encouraging the execution of more than 17,000 "enemies of the Revolution". Read more
• 1789 — The first U.S. federal government agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs, is established (it will be later renamed Department of State). Read more
• 1778 — American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff. Read more
• 1775 — Founding of the U.S. Army Medical Department: The Second Continental Congress passes legislation establishing "an hospital for an army consisting of 20,000 men." Read more
• 1714 — The Great Northern War: The first significant victory of the Russian Navy in the naval battle of Gangut against the Swedish Navy near the Hanko Peninsula. Read more
• 1694 — A Royal charter is granted to the Bank of England. Read more
• 1689 — Glorious Revolution: The Battle of Killiecrankie is a victory for the Jacobites. Read more
• 1663 — The English Parliament passes the second Navigation Act requiring that all goods bound for the American colonies have to be sent in English ships from English ports. After the Acts of Union 1707, Scotland would be included in the Act. Read more
• 1549 — The Jesuit priest Francis Xavier's ship reaches Japan. Read more
• 1302 — Battle of Bapheus: Decisive Ottoman victory over the Byzantines opening up Bithynia for Turkish conquest. Read more
• 1299 — According to Edward Gibbon, Osman I invades the territory of Nicomedia for the first time, usually considered to be the founding day of the Ottoman state. Read more
• 1214 — Battle of Bouvines: Philip II of France decisively defeats Imperial, English and Flemish armies, effectively ending John of England's Angevin Empire. Read more
• 1202 — Georgian–Seljuk wars: At the Battle of Basian the Kingdom of Georgia defeats the Sultanate of Rum. Read more
• 1189 — Friedrich Barbarossa arrives at Niš, the capital of Serbian King Stefan Nemanja, during the Third Crusade. Read more
• 1054 — Siward, Earl of Northumbria, invades Scotland and defeats Macbeth, King of Scotland, somewhere north of the Firth of Forth. This is known as the Battle of Dunsinane. Read more

Born on July 27

• 2003 — Elvina Kalieva, American tennis player Read more
• 2001 — Miguel Gutiérrez, Spanish footballer Read more
• 1995 — Mercedes Russell, American basketball player Read more
• 1995 — Drew Rasmussen, American baseball player Read more
• 1994 — Winnie Harlow, Canadian model Read more
• 1993 — Max Power, English footballer Read more
• 1993 — Jordan Spieth, American golfer Read more
• 1992 — Tory Lanez, Canadian singer and rapper Read more
• 1991 — Wandy Peralta, Dominican baseball player Read more
• 1990 — Paolo Hurtado, Peruvian footballer Read more
• 1990 — Cheyenne Kimball, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
• 1990 — Stephen Li-Chung Kuo, Taiwanese-American figure skater Read more
• 1990 — Kriti Sanon, Indian actress Read more
• 1989 — Maya Ali, Pakistani actress Read more
• 1988 — Adam Biddle, Australian footballer Read more
• 1988 — Yoervis Medina, Venezuelan baseball player Read more
• 1988 — Ryan Tannehill, American football player Read more
• 1987 — Jacoby Ford, American football player Read more
• 1987 — Marek Hamšík, Slovak footballer Read more
• 1987 — Jordan Hill, American basketball player Read more
• 1987 — Sarah Parsons, American ice hockey player Read more
• 1986 — DeMarre Carroll, American basketball player Read more
• 1986 — Ryan Flaherty, American baseball player Read more
• 1986 — Ryan Griffen, Australian footballer Read more
• 1985 — Husain Abdullah, American football player Read more
• 1985 — Matteo Pratichetti, Italian rugby player Read more
• 1985 — Ajmal Shahzad, English cricketer Read more
• 1984 — Antoine Bethea, American football player Read more
• 1984 — Cecilie Myrseth, Norwegian politician Read more
• 1984 — Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Japanese baseball player Read more
• 1984 — Max Scherzer, American baseball player Read more
• 1984 — Taylor Schilling, American actress Read more
• 1984 — Kenny Wormald, American actor, dancer, and choreographer Read more
• 1983 — Lorik Cana, Albanian footballer Read more
• 1983 — Martijn Maaskant, Dutch cyclist Read more
• 1983 — Goran Pandev, Macedonian footballer Read more
• 1983 — Soccor Velho, Indian footballer (died 2013) Read more
• 1983 — Heidi Gardner, American actress and comedian Read more
• 1982 — Neil Harbisson, English-Catalan painter, composer, and activist Read more
• 1981 — Susan King Borchardt, American basketball player Read more

Died on July 27

• 2024 — Edna O'Brien, Irish novelist, playwright, poet and short story writer (born 1930) Read more
• 2024 — Pavel Kushnir, Russian pianist, writer, activist and political prisoner (born 1984) Read more
• 2022 — Tony Dow, American actor, film producer, director, and sculptor (born 1945) Read more
• 2018 — Marco Aurelio Denegri, Peruvian literature critic, television host and sexologist Read more
• 2017 — Sam Shepard, American playwright, actor, author, screenwriter, and director (born 1943) Read more
• 2016 — Einojuhani Rautavaara, Finnish composer (born 1928) Read more
• 2016 — James Alan McPherson, American short story writer and essayist (born 1943) Read more
• 2016 — Jerry Doyle, American actor and talk show host (born 1956) Read more
• 2016 — Piet de Jong, Dutch politician and naval officer, Minister of Defence, Prime Minister of the Netherlands (born 1915) Read more
• 2015 — Rickey Grundy, American singer-songwriter (born 1959) Read more
• 2015 — A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Indian engineer, academic, and politician, 11th President of India (born 1931) Read more
• 2015 — Samuel Pisar, Polish-born American lawyer and author (born 1929) Read more
• 2015 — Anthony Shaw, English general (born 1930) Read more
• 2014 — Richard Bolt, New Zealand air marshal and pilot (born 1923) Read more
• 2014 — George Freese, American baseball player and coach (born 1926) Read more
• 2014 — Wallace Jones, American basketball player and coach (born 1926) Read more
• 2014 — Francesco Marchisano, Italian cardinal (born 1929) Read more
• 2014 — Paul Schell, American lawyer and politician, 50th Mayor of Seattle (born 1937) Read more
• 2013 — Fernando Alonso, Cuban dancer, co-founded the Cuban National Ballet (born 1914) Read more
• 2013 — Lindy Boggs, American politician and diplomat, 5th United States Ambassador to the Holy See (born 1916) Read more
• 2013 — Bud Day, American colonel and pilot, Medal of Honor recipient (born 1925) Read more
• 2013 — Kidd Kraddick, American radio host (born 1959) Read more
• 2013 — Ilya Segalovich, Russian businessman, co-founded Yandex (born 1964) Read more
• 2012 — Norman Alden, American actor (born 1924) Read more
• 2012 — R. G. Armstrong, American actor and playwright (born 1917) Read more
• 2012 — Darryl Cotton, Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor (born 1949) Read more
• 2012 — Geoffrey Hughes, English actor (born 1944) Read more
• 2012 — Tony Martin, American actor and singer (born 1913) Read more
• 2012 — Jack Taylor, English footballer and referee (born 1930) Read more
• 2010 — Maury Chaykin, American-Canadian actor (born 1949) Read more
• 2010 — Jack Tatum, American football player (born 1948) Read more
• 2008 — Youssef Chahine, Egyptian director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1926) Read more
• 2008 — Horst Stein, German-born Swiss conductor (born 1928) Read more
• 2008 — Isaac Saba Raffoul, Mexican businessman (born 1923) Read more
• 2007 — James Oyebola, Nigerian-English boxer (born 1961) Read more
• 2006 — Maryann Mahaffey, American academic and politician (born 1925) Read more
• 2005 — Al Held, American painter and academic (born 1928) Read more
• 2005 — Marten Toonder, Dutch author and illustrator (born 1912) Read more
• 2003 — Vance Hartke, American lieutenant, lawyer, and politician (born 1919) Read more
• 2003 — Bob Hope, English-American actor, comedian, television personality, and businessman (born 1903) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast day: Anthusa of Mantinea; Christian feast day: Aurelius and Natalia and companions of the Martyrs of Córdoba.; Christian feast day: Blessed Maria Maddalena Martinengo; Christian feast day: Maurus, Pantalemon, and Sergius; Christian feast day: Pantaleon; Christian feast day: Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (Roman Martyrology) National Sleepy Head Day (Finland); Christian feast day: July 27 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War (North Korea); Iglesia ni Cristo Day (the Philippines); José Celso Barbosa Day (Puerto Rico); Medical Workers Day (Ukraine); Martyrs and Wounded Soldiers Day (Vietnam)

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